How Much Does an English Professor Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$78,760
English professors in the U.S. earn a median of $78,760 a year. Half of english professors earn more than $78,760 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $137,250.
Pay percentiles for english professors
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,270 |
| 25th | $60,900 |
| 50th (median) | $78,760 |
| 75th | $103,130 |
| 90th | $137,250 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1123). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for english professors, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for english professors
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| California | $130,490 | +66% |
| New Hampshire | $98,650 | +25% |
| Connecticut | $97,310 | +24% |
| Delaware | $97,100 | +23% |
| Oregon | $91,870 | +17% |
| Michigan | $90,240 | +15% |
| Vermont | $86,870 | +10% |
| Nevada | $85,830 | +9% |
| New York | $84,850 | +8% |
| Maine | $84,290 | +7% |
| United States | $78,760 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many english professors are there?
BLS counts about 57,720 english professors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary”. The most jobs are in New York (6,110), California (5,460) and Texas (4,310).
The mean (average) annual wage is $89,580, higher than the median of $78,760.
Frequently asked questions
How much do english professors make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for english professors, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $78,760.
Which state pays english professors the most?
California has the highest median wage for english professors at $130,490, +66% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for english professors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of english professors earn less than $48,270 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.